Lightning Strikes Kill Thirty Five in Bangladesh

Seasonal showers and unprecedented lightning claimed many lives in Bangladesh.

Children play against the backdrop of rain clouds. (Photo: Reuters)

• At least 35 people, including women and children, died in Bangladesh after being struck by lightning during thundershowers in 14 districts, officials said on Friday.

• The lightning accompanying the seasonal northwestern storms claimed lives in Pabna, Sirajganj, Rajshahi, Kishoreganj and Brahmanbarhia districts and in Dhaka sudden thunderbolts killed two.

• The casualties included children playing in open grounds during the rain, but most victims were farmers, who were in their fields.
  

• Rains appeared after a heat wave scorched the country. Meteorologists said lightning kills up to 300 people on an average each year in Bangladesh.
  

(With inputs from PTI.)